YourWords STL

WE'RE BUILDING BRIDGES.

YourWords STL began when two people had the same inspiration around the same time, with just enough serendipity to bring that thought into action. Two high school friends, Dr. Anna Guzon and Dr. Steve Handoyo, like much of St Louis, were disheartened by the events surrounding and following Michael Brown Jr.'s death in 2014.

Vision

 

We are committed to bridging racial, cultural, and economic divides, by honing the ability of people to tell their stories, while providing opportunities for the community to listen.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY ON OUR BLOG

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Mission

 

YourWords STL uses one-on-one tutoring, creative writing workshops, and collaborative writing projects to amplify the voices of St. Louis youth. We believe we can change St. Louis by empowering young people to tell their stories. Part of our mission is to provide a sense of consistency and security for these students by recruiting passionate, committed tutors and volunteers who are dedicated to attending every weekly session.

20
LIVE PERFORMANCES OF YOUTH STORIES
8
COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS
9
BOOKS CREATED
Tutoring
Creative Writing Workshops
Collaborative (Crossing Delmar)

Board of Directors

Anna Guzon
Founder, Programming Director
Steve Handoyo
Founder, Executive Director
Jason Vasser-Elong, MFA
Board Member
Deanne Sleet, BA
Board Member
Mark Cabonce MS, DABT
Board Member
Lee Ojascastro, BFA
Board Member
Eula Wiggins
Chelsea Trotter
Loretta Graham

OUR ADVISORY BOARD.

Jennifer Rengachary

Sheri Miesner Phegley

Treasure Shields Redmond

Ben Griffiths

Willie Royal